New York Mets - PlayerWatch

August 16, 2012|Reuters

OF Mike Baxter batted leadoff Wednesday for the first time since injuring himself during Santana's no-hitter. Baxter, who collected two of the Mets' four hits, ranks among the team leaders in on-base percentage in limited at-bats. The move also allowed Collins to slot SS Ruben Tejada second, where he prefers to put Tejada's contact bat.

OF Mike Baxter batted leadoff Wednesday for the first time since injuring himself during Santana's no-hitter. Baxter, who collected two of the Mets' four hits, ranks among the team leaders in on-base percentage in limited at-bats. The move also allowed Collins to slot SS Ruben Tejada second, where he prefers to put Tejada's contact bat.

The Mets will move to a six-man starting rotation effective immediately, manager Terry Collins said Wednesday. But RHP R.A. Dickey will continue to start every fifth game while the rest of the rotation slots in around him. The move is designed in large part to give extra rest to RHP Chris Young and LHP Johan Santana, both of whom are coming off shoulder surgeries.

The Mets will move to a six-man starting rotation effective immediately, manager Terry Collins said Wednesday. But RHP R.A. Dickey will continue to start every fifth game while the rest of the rotation slots in around him. The move is designed in large part to give extra rest to RHP Chris Young and LHP Johan Santana, both of whom are coming off shoulder surgeries.

RHP R.A. Dickey will be the exception as the Mets move to a six-man starting rotation effective immediately, manager Terry Collins said Wednesday. Dickey will continue to start every fifth game while the rest of the rotation slots in around him. The move is designed in large part to give extra rest to RHP Chris Young and LHP Johan Santana, both of whom are coming off shoulder surgeries.

RHP R.A. Dickey took the loss Wednesday in his quest to become the league's first 16-game winner. The Mets' new six-man rotation should not affect Dickey, who is scheduled to start nine more times in his quest to become the Mets' first 20-game winner since Frank Viola in 1990.

C Kelly Shoppach officially joined the Mets in time for Wednesday's game against the Reds. Shoppach, whom the Mets acquired from the Red Sox Tuesday following a waiver claim, should start regularly against left-handed pitchers in a platoon with C Josh Thole. But Collins said that he may play Shoppach on Thursday despite a right-handed opposing starter.

C Rob Johnson was optioned to Class AAA Buffalo to clear roster space for C Kelly Shoppach. Johnson was with the team in large part because of his relationship with top prospect Matt Harvey, who counted the backup catcher among his minor league mentors. But Shoppach and Thole will catch Harvey regularly now that Johnson is gone.